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I nodded as I stabbed my slice of chocolate cake and shoved a huge bite into my mouth.
“Do you like it?” Charlotte asked.
I tried to speak. “It’s delicious.”
She giggled as the crumbs spilled out of my mouth. “Good. I’m glad. My parents own the new bakery in Woodrow Plaza. That’s where we got your cake from.”
I wiped my mouth with the napkin, trying to look civilized in front of the newcomer. “Very cool. I’d love to see what else they have there.”
Tanner looked happy. His brows were not in their usual furrowed stance; his lips were curled up instead of down. I wanted to ask questions about how the two met, but I did not want to make them awkward. Everyone always gave Tanner a hard time, and I wanted to let him be tonight.
Chase returned to the table after several minutes, shoving his phone back into his pocket.
“Wrong number?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yup. How’s the cake?”
“It’s so good. Charlotte’s family owns a bakery.”
“Nice.” He took a bite of the cake waiting on his plate. He seemed uncharacteristically quiet for the remainder of the party. Planning a surprise party can be stressful, so I pushed the strange feeling in my gut down and away.
Driving home, though, Chase did not say two words. His gaze was far away as we pulled up to the house, and he killed the engine.
“Are you staying over tonight?” I asked. He had been spent every night at my apartment since Christmas.
“Sure. If you want me to.”
I scrunched my face up in confusion. “If I want you to?”
“Yeah, I mean if you’re tired we can just call it a night.”
“If I’m tired?” I sighed. “Alright. Who’s the girl?”
He turned in his seat to look at me. “What?”
“Your phone has been ringing with an unknown caller. You don’t seem like yourself. And now you’re too tired to give me birthday sex. These are clear signs that you’re talking to another girl.”
To my surprise, he started laughing.
“And now you’re laughing. Cool.” I swung open the passenger door.
“Merritt, no.” He got out of his car and chased me up the driveway. “Let’s go inside and I’ll explain everything. There is no other girl.”
I stopped just before the stairs. “If you try to give me some bullshit excuse, I’m going to know you’re lying… and then I’ll have no choice but to chop off your balls.”
He held my face with both hands. “You are the only girl I want in my life. I love you. Please let me explain what’s really going on… and please don’t chop off my balls.”
I quickly went to my bedroom to change into comfortable sweats, and swept my hair up in a bun. I sat on the couch, the suspense killing me slowly with every passing second.
Chase sat down on the couch beside me, his phone in hand. “Listen to this voicemail, and then I’ll tell you everything.”
I suspiciously took his phone from his hands and pushed play:
“Hey, Chase! This is Billy Montgomery, out in California. I got a call from Donnie the other day. He played our demo for an up-and-coming record label out here. They loved it, man. The guys and I were hoping you’d be able to come back. We need a lead singer, and you were the voice he heard on the demo. Hit me back at this number. This is big news, man!”
Silence filled the room after the voicemail ended. I was still, letting the message fully sink in.
“So,” Chase began. “Billy is the guitarist in the band I sang with when I was out in California last year.”
